Releasable two-part fastener



y 1966 J. J. MCCARTHY 3,253,310

RELEASABLE TWO-PART FAS TENER Filed May 4, 1965 0 0 INVENTOR.

54 6 Jo m J Ma art/7y Wai United States Patent 3,253,310 RELEASABLE TWO-PART FASTENER John J. McCarthy, Weston, Conm, assignor to Norco Incorporated, Ridgefield, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed May 4, 1965, Ser. No. 453,126 8 Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates to releasable fastener devices,

and more particularly to fasteners of the type wherein one part is quickly received in a recess or cavity of another part by a simple direct movement, and as quickly released from said other part by a generally similar and opposite direct movement.

The present invention concerns improvement in the separable fasteners described and claimed in my copending applications Serial No. 360,356 filed April 16, 1964, and entitled Mechanical Coupling, and Serial No. 390,617 filed August 19, 1964, and entitled Releasable Mechanical Coupling. In the earlier of the two identified copending applications there is described a coupling or fastener compnising a receiver or female pant having I3, socket, and a cooperable male part which includes a locking plug having an axially movable release sleeve adapted to occupy either of two positions on the plug, and advanced locking position and a retracted releasing position. The locking plug is intentionally a loose fit in the socket of the receiver part at the time of insertion, and the looseness is taken up by the locking and release sleeve, which is adapted to extend into the socket.

The loose fit of the plug in the socket was necessary because the plug had an angularly extended slot receiving a locking diametric pin of the socket. As the pin was 'being accommodated or received in the notch, the angularity of the latter with respect to the axis of the plug required that the latter shift laterally as well as axially during its entry. After completion of the entry, the plug occupied a centralized position, whereupon the locking and release sleeve shifted to its advanced locking position, occupying the space surrounding the plug between the latter and the walls of the socket.

My later copending application above identified eliminated the initial looseness of the plug in the socket part, and this was effected by providing the plug with oppositely sloped notches in which the locking pin or bar was received. With such arrangement, the insertion ofthe plug in the receiver part was characterized by a twisting movement of the plug, as required by the opposite angularity of the notches thereof. A cooperable latching member was provided with straight notches in which the diametric pin or bar was also received, said latching member being axially movable and retractable to enable entry of the locking bar to be effected. When advanced, the latching member locked the pin against removal.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a separable fastener device wherein considerable looseness is not required between the plug and the socket, and also wherein it is not necessary for the plug to have a twisting or turning movement as it is inserted in the socket. Instead, the plug may have a non-twisting purely straight line movement as it is inserted in the socket, and to make this possible while still having a latching action the cooperable notched latching member is arranged to have the twist-ing movement.

The twist of the latching member has been foundto be not objectionable, and since it makes possible a nontwisting movement of the plug, the operation of the fastener is simplified because there is no longer required the compound movement of the plug, i.e. combined axial and twisting movement. Instead, the plug now has a simple Patented May 31, race axial, non-turning movement, this same being true of the separating movements of the plug and socket parts.

The improved separable fastener as set forth above, is characterized by a compound or relative axial and twisting movement between the latching member and the plug member, in effecting the insertion and removal of the plug from the socket part, and this is a feature of the invention.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved separable fastener device in accordance with the foregoing, wherein balanced or opposed forces are involved in the locking action, and wherein a double locking or securement of the diametric pin or bar is effected, occurring at two spaced locations, thereby providing greater strength in the fastener and less likelihood of distortion or failure of the cooperable components.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved quick connect and disconnect type fastener of the kind indicated, wherein relatively few parts or components of simple construction are involved, thereby resulting in a desirable economy of manufacture.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved separable fastener which is reliable and foo-lpnoof in its operation and not susceptible to malfunctioning, thereby'eliminating the necessity for servicing even when subjected to an extended period of use.

Yet another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved separable fastener which may be easily and quickly operated, even by relatively unskilled personnel, without requiring prior knowledge or instruc tion.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a two-part fastener made in accordance with the invention, the two parts being shown in their separated positions.

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the releasable fastener, showing one'set of relative positions of the parts as they are being assembled to each other.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing the parts fully assembled one to the other.

FIG. 4 is'a side elevational view of a tubular notched member comprising a portion of one part of the fastener.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a latching member, constituting another portion of the said one part of the fastener.

Referring first to FIG. .1, the two part releasable fastener is shown as comprising a receiver part 10 and an insertable or plug part 12, the latter being adapted to telescopically fit into the receiver part 10.

The parts 10 and 12 may constitute portions of structures which are to be releasably secured together. For instance, the part 10 which is shown as having a tubular structure, may be secured to a stationary member, such as a frame, the end of a bar or the like. The part 12 may be secured to a movable part such as a bar or other structure which is intended to be fastened to the member carrying the part 10.

The part 10 comprises essentially'a transverse bar or rod 14 which is diametrically disposed in a tubular body member 16. While this specific construction has been found to be advantageous, it will be understood that other shapes and configurations are possible.

Insertable in the body 16 is the front end portion of the part 12, comprising a tubular member 18 having at its front end a pair of diametrically opposite, axially extending notches 20. The notches 20 are so disposed that when the member 18 is inserted in the receiver body 16, the transverse bar 14 will be received in the notches 20, assuming that a proper orientation of theparts as indicated in FIG. 1 is maintained during such assembly.

Considering now FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, there is disposed in the tubular part or member 18 a turnably and axially movable latch member 22 having at one end a pair of recesses 24, 26 provided with divergent mouth portions. As seen in FIG. 5, the recess 24 has divergent edge or wall surfaces 28, 30 and the recess 26 is similarly arranged, being a mirror image of the recess 24 when viewing the latch member 22 as in FIG. 5. Or, if such memher were to be turned 180 about its axis from the position of FIG. 5, the recess 26 would appear having the same identical configurations as the recess 24 which is fully shown in FIG. 5.

The latch member 22 is not only turnable in the tubular member 18 but is also movable between an extended or advanced locking position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and a retracted or releasing position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Cooperable guide means are provided on the members 18 and 22, comprising a pair of cam slots 34, 36 disposed diametrically opposite each other in the tubular member 18, both slots being of identical configuration and being mirror images of each other as seen in FIG. 4. That is, if the tubular member 18 is rotated about its axis for 180, the cam slot 36 would occupy the position now shown for the cam slot 34 and would have identically the same shape.

The cooperable guide means also comprises longitudinally extending slots 38 in the latch member 22, also disposed in diametrically opposite locations, and further comprises a pin 40 which extends through the cam slots 34, 36 and the longitudinal slots 38. The above guide means enables the latch member to have the advanced locking position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as well as to have the retracted releasing position illustrated in FIG. 2.

Means are provided for normally holding the latch member 22 in the advanced locking position, such means comprising a compression coil spring 44 engaging a stop plug 46 fixedly secured in the tubular member 18 by pins 48. The upper end of the spring 44 engages the plug 46 and the lower portion of the coil spring is received in an enlarged bore 50 of the latch member 22. The lowermost end of the spring 44 engages a flat washer 52 located in the enlarged bore of the latch member, all as seen in FIG. 3.

The tubular latch member 22 has protruding latching formations or lugs 54 which are engageable with the transverse bar 14 of the receiver when the latter is in the notches of the tubular member 18. By such engagement, the bar is secured retained in the said notches, as seen for example in FIG. 3. The latching formations or lugs comprise one wall of each of the recesses 24, 26 of the latching member 22. Such wall or edge is thus seen to be pointed, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 5.

Means are provided also for moving the latch member 22 readily, as by the application of finger pressure, such means comprising a collar 58 which is axially slidable on the tubular member 18 and which has diametrically opposite circular holes to receive and frictionally retain the cam pin 40. It will be understood that a user may grasp the tubular member 18 in one hand and grasp the release col lar 58 in the other, and by applying a left to right force as viewed in the figures, may shift the said collar to the right and also shift the latch member 22 in the same direction.

When this is done, the latch member 22 will occupy the position illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the bar 14 is free to leave the notches 20 of the tubular member 18. In FIG. 3, the bar 14 is securely retained in the notches 20 by virtue of the latch member 22 occupying the advanced, locking position. Such condition is attained by merely inserting the fastener part 12 in the receiver part 10, starting with the positions illustrated in FIG. 1 and progressing to the positions of FIG. 2. During such operation, the forces exerted on the latching formations or lugs 54 by the bar 14 will effect a retraction of the latch member 22, such retraction being also characterized by a turning movement of the latch member. This turning movement will naturally result from engagement between the bar 14 and the short edge or wall portions (such as the portion 30 of the recess 24). Also, the configuration of the camming slots 34, 36 will tend to induce a similar turning movement of the latch member 22 during its retraction. Considering the positions of the parts in FIG. 2, further inserting movement of the part 12 will result in the latch member 22 being forcibly advanced to the locking position of FIG. 3 under the action of the coil spring 44. The two parts 10, 12 are now securely fastened to each other.

When it is desired to separate the parts, the user merely grasps and pulls to the right the release collar 58. This will result in a slight turning movement of the collar and also of the latch member 22 as the latter is brought to the releasing position illustrated in FIG. 3. The users pull on the release collar 58 will "now result in separation of the parts and withdrawal of the part 12 from the receiver 10 as shown in FIG. 1. When grasping the release collar 58 and pulling on the same, the twisting movement which ensues is the result not only of the configuration of the cam slots 34, 36 but also the camming action of the edges of the lugs 54 with respect to the locking bar 40.

It will be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved two-part separable fastener wherein no looseness or relative turning of the parts is required, wherein relatively few components are involved, and wherein the parts are securely locked against separation under normal conditions of use. Further, the fastener is very easily operated to separate the parts, by the application of a single force on the release collar 58. Such force has the double purpose of shifting the latch member 22 to the releasing position and also thereafter removing the one fastener part 12 from its cooperable part 10. The various components may be readily fabricated and assembled, and by virtue of the simplicity and straightforward mechanical principles involved a very high degree of reliability is had, with freedom from malfunctioning and servicing.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A two-part releasable fastener comprising, in combination:

(a) a bar on one part,

(b) the other part comprising a tubular member having notches at one end, adapted to receive said bar,

(0) a latch member turnable and axially movable in said tubular member between an advanced latching position and a retracted releasing position,

(d) cooperable guide means on said members, causing relative turning therebetween as the latch member is moved between the said positions,

(e) means for temporarily holding the latch member in its advanced position,

(f) means for moving the latch member from advanced to retracted position, and

(g) a protruding latching formation on said latching member, engageable with the said bar when the latter is in the notches of the tubular member with the latching member advanced, thereby to retain the bar, said formation releasing the bar when the latching member is shifted to retracted position.

2. A releasable fastener as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the protruding latching formation comprises a pair of lugs adjoining the said notches and adapted to extend into spaces at the outer side of the said bar.

3. A releasable fastener as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the means for holding the latch member in its advanced position is yieldable and comprises a spring.

4. A releasable fastener as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the latching member has a bar-receiving recess provided with a divergent mouth to facilitate reception of the said bar therein,

(b) said latching formation comprising one wall of the recess.

5. A releasable fastener as in claim 4, wherein:

(a) the latching member is tubular and telescopes into the said notched tubular member,

(b) said latching member having an additional barreceiving recess provided with a divergent mouth, (c) said latching formation further comprising one wall of said additional recess.

6. A releasable fastener as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the cooperable guide means comprises a cam slot in said tubular member and a pin extending into said cam slot and interlockingly engaged with the latching member.

7. A releasable fastener as in claim 6, wherein:

(a) the means for moving the latch member comprises a collar axially slidable on the tubular member and connected with the said pin.

8. A releasable fastener as in claim 7, wherein:

( a) the latching member is tubular and telescopes into the notched tubular member,

(b) said latching member having at one end a pair of bar-receiving recesses provided with divergent mouths to facilitate reception of the said bar therein,

(c) said latching formation comprising one wall of each recess,

(d) said holding means comprising a spring which yieldably holds the latching member in said advanced position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 931,327 8/ 1909 Manzel.

FOREIGN PATENTS 596,461 7/ 1959 Italy.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TWO-PART RELEASABLE FASTENER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A BAR ON ONE PART, (B) THE OTHER PART COMPRISING A TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING NOTCHES AT ONE END, ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID BAR, (C) A LATCH MEMBER TURNABLE AND AXIALLY MOVABLE IN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER BETWEEN AN ADVANCED LATCHING POSITION AND A RETRACTED RELEASING POSITION, (D) COOPERABLE GUIDE MEANS ON SAID MEMBERS, CAUSING RELATIVE TURNING THEREBETWEEN AS THE LATCH MEMBER IS MOVED BETWEEN THE SAID POSITIONS, (E) MENS FOR TEMPORARILY HOLDING THE LATCH MEMBER IN ITS ADVANCED POSITION, (F) MEANS FOR MOVING THE LATCH MEMBER FROM ADVANCED TO RETRACTED POSITION, AND (G) A PROTRUDING LATCHING FORMATION ON SAID LATCHING MEMBER, ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SAID BAR WHEN THE LATTER IS IN THE NOTCHES OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER WITH THE LATCHING MEMBER ADVANCED, THEREBY TO RETAIN THE BAR, SAID FORMATION RELEASING THE BAR WHEN THE LATCHING MEMBER IS SHIFTED TO RETRACTED POSITION. 